Details of free online training programme 'Itoe dollar' launched by government
Explainers
By
Stephanie Wangari
| Feb 19, 2024
The government has launched a free online training programme dubbed 'Itoe Dollar' for Kenyans aged 18 to 35.
Through X, the Ministry of Labour announced that the programme would have two training modules. The first is a basic module while the second is an advanced module.
Lessons taught will be taught in the basic module are; data entry, digital marketing and virtual assistance while AI for graphic design will be taught in the advanced module.
The training will take place from March 4, 2024, to March 8, 2024, from 8am to 5pm.
"The objective of the programme is to equip young people with the requisite knowledge, skills and attributes for digital/online work to enable them to access decent work and earn an income from the gig and freelancing economy," reads the statement by the government.
This comes a week after President William Ruto delivered a speech before more than 4,000 delegates at the World Governments Summit (WGS) in Dubai last week, asking them to embrace technology.
"From our experience with innovation in Kenya, I would say that it is wise to be vigilant against adverse implications, antisocial applications and other threats that can arise due to unregulated or reckless experimentation with unsafe, scientifically untenable or theoretically unsound technologies, yet this must never be ground to stand in the way of solutions to humanity's pressing needs," he said.
The president also narrated the story of Brian Kipchumba, a college student who Ruto said had no passport but works for a German-based AI company "from his laptop."
"When I visited Silicon Valley last year, Apple's Tim Cook informed me that his company now employs about 23,000 Kenyans, all working from Nairobi. We must not allow a fear of future unknowns to deprive brilliant youngsters like Brian of opportunities. If we sacrifice the benefits of progress hoping for security, we risk losing both," he said.